THE UNIVERSITY of West London has bucked the national trend and seen almost a fifth more students apply this year than 12 months ago.

The number of students hoping to attend the university, based in St Mary's Road, Ealing, in September is 19.3 per cent up on last year following Sunday's application deadline. (JAN 15)

Although the total number of applications to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service is yet to be announced, it is expected to be down on last year.

At the end of December UCAS applications nationally were down six per cent compared to the same time the previous year.

UWL vice-chancellor Professor Peter John said: "Obviously I am delighted and we want to make sure that these figures convert into real students who arrive at our West London and Berkshire campuses in September."